Thursday, March 3, 2011

Word/phrase
Meaning in context
Origin, usage
Aapu adchichu (ஆப்பு அடிச்சு)
To result in failure.
Tamil aapu (ஆப்பு) is a thin triangular wedge (usually made of metal) used in carpentry to split wood or hold half-split wood. adchichu(அடிச்சு) means to hit. So this phrase literally means hit/split by a wedge implying a failure
AaaKoa (ஆக்கோ)
Over enthusiastic.
Tamil aarva kolaaru (ஆர்வக் கோளாறு - over enthusiasm).
Adan kokka makka(அடாங் கொக்க மக்கா)
your sister's son or daughter.
Tamil Ada un akka magan / magal
Aaf-Paayil (ஆஃப் பாயில்)
Half-boiled egg. Vendhum vegathathu.
English Half boiled
Aleka (அலெகா)
Smoothly
Tamil Aazhaga (அழகா) (beautifully)
Aalinaal Alaguraaja(ஆலின்ஆல் அழகுராஜா)
Jack of all arts.
English All in all
Aathaadi (ஆத்தாடி)
Oh my Lady!!.
Tamil Aatha referring to mother;'di'is a suffix that is always added when referring to female while 'da' is used for males.
Aattaya poadrathu(ஆட்டய போடறது)
...To steal. Usage Avan Aattaya potutan meaning He Stole. Similar to Abase panradhu (அபேஸ் பண்றது)
Madurai Tamil Madurai local slang.
Abase panradhu
To steal.
English abase and Tamil panradhu (to do). Also used as English loot and Tamiludradhu (உட்றது), sudradhu (சுடுறது) and amukardhu (அமுக்குறது).
Adho paaru kaaka
A very intelligent way to trick people and make a fool of them.
This was the method adopted by the great GB for getting paani pooris.
annty
Older woman who is really hot.

Akkisht (அக்கிஸ்ட்)
rogue, Accused, criminal
English Accused
A-haan (ஆஹாங்)
yes
English A-Haa. (When one has just discovered or remembered something)
Allakai' (அல்லக்கை)
Meaning a weaker person who lives in the shadow of a stronger person or one who has no got no guts to saywrong about a stronger one. AlLakai actually came from the word Alra kai meaning the person will even clean any shit of a stronger person. Typically meaning aweaselly acquaintance
Use Less Fellow Tamil valathu kai
Allu illa'
Shit Scared!
No idea.
Alva kudukradhu'
Act of deceiving,chicanery or cheating - done very smartly.Dialogue made famous by Tamil actor Sathyaraaj.
English Leaving someone who believed in you helpless, in the hour of need.
Allo (அலோ)
Hey, there...
English hello. Used to draw attention. Pure Tamil does not have the sound'Ha'
Annthanda po' (அந்தாண்ட போ)
Go There (go that side)
Tamil Athan andai po. (அதன் அண்டை போ)
Annaathe(அண்ணாத்தே)
Elder brother. Often referred to a respectable person. Also used when one wants to surrender unconditionally.annathe utturu meaning, Oh Lord please give me life.
Tamil Annan (அண்ணன்)
Apeetu (அபீடு)
To exit quickly/Vanish from the spot.
Language English [abate-die away], rhyme/antonym of repeatu, as in 'mudhala apeetu apparam repeatu'(First apeetu, then repeat)
Aani Pudunga Vendaam- Do not try to play around.


Appalae' (அப்பாலே)
Afterwards, later
Tamil appuram (அப்புறம்)
Asalta (அசால்டா)
To do something very easily.
Etymology not known for certain. Possibly from Hindi/Urdu 'Aasaan' easy or from English(assault).
Ashtan
To hit someone, or to steal something, or consume something
From Tamil 'Adi'. Example: Parsa ashatu ottan!, or as in Sarakku ashtu parthunindhaba
Attu
Synonym of Dochhu, Waste
As is Attu FigaruAttu Padam Tamilasattai.
Ayye
Saying So? in a derogatory way.
From English 'Hey!, as in Ayye, eppo innandre? Tamil Iyo, Iyako
Baamaayilu
Palm oil.
English Palm + English oil.
Bondy
Unrecoverable failure
Etymology uncertain.
Bucketu
refers to the female who engages in 'kadalai'(flirting/random talk with opposite sex)
refers to the bucket used by vendors to sell the ground nuts in beaches to couples.
Bagilu
Hip and region around it.
Hindi bagal (underarm).
Bajaari
A loud, unruly woman, like a fish-seller.
Urdu bazaar (market).
Bandha/Peteru
Stylish
Possibly from the style statements of James Bond. (Bond = Bandha)/ TAlking too much english
Batli
Derogatory term for a woman.
English From bottle. A reference to a woman's hourglass shape. Used as Batli maadiri oru figure
Bejaar
Nuisance or Boring
English language From Badger (Often irrirated)
Belaak
Experience the akula
English language From Bela Belaak(Often used as akula)
Bigilu
Whistle.
English Language From Bugle - taken most probably from the music of the army.
Baeku
Imbecile.
Urdu bevkoof (stupid).
Baemani.(Beimaan in Urdu means a person who has no ethics/ scruples/ integrity and Beimaani means the trait of dishonesty)
Urdu bae + imani (without + shame).

Bigjang
Someone who wearsWesternized clothes and/or accessories, even sunglasses. Derogatory.
Probably from the Hollywood westernDjango popular in the 1970s in Madras.
Bikki 
Illustrates the whimsical way girls dump Chennai guys. Guys never do that!
From Britannia Milk Bikis biscuit (hand the guy a Milk Bikis that you'd normally give a kid)
Biscothu
bigwig, usually sarcastically meant.
as in 'mama biscothu'(Tamil movie : Oora Therinjukitten (1998))! Just as they say biskut for biscuit in Hindi. See also: paruppu
BhelPiila
Telling Lies.
Unknown
Blaydu
Boring, worthless or useless
English blade.Example usage: Dey, blaydu padam da meaning The film was a drag or A boring film
Buddi
Someone who wears thick glasses. Derogatory.
From soda buddi (soft drink bottle). Analogous to Coke bottom glasses.
Balubu
Jovial insult.
English Bulb. Example usage: Balubu vangniya meaning Got an insult?
Chinna Veedu
Brothel
Tamil for small house. Usually the concubines/prostitutes used to stay in a small house which would have just enough room for their business activities.
Chanse illai
Nothing exists more than this.
---
Comedy piece/Dummy piece
Derived from Tamil Cinema comedies,referring to a weakling acting too smart and gets fooled.

Cycle Gapla
Derived from the English word Cycle and Gap
Tamil for trying to get things done without anyone noticing it
Daar
Torn
English 'Tear'. Example usage: Mavane, Daaraiyiduve
Dakaalte also pronounced as Takaalti or Dakaitee
To cheat
English 'Dacoit' (which is itself derived from the Hindi dakaiti). Example usage:Intha dakaalte velai yellam or Avan oru bayangaram-aana dakaitee party Made popular by Tamil comedian, Goundamani.
Darr
Afraid, tensed
Hindi 'Fear'. Example usage: Darr aayittan
Dabba
Junk.
Hindi dabba (box). Used in colloquial speech such as Dabba padam (junk movie).
Dabbu
Money.
Telugu dabbu (money). See Also: Dabbu
Dabu
Occasion.
Hindi/Urdu dafe (times). Do dafe doonga - Meaning I'll give two times. in Madras Slang its "Rendu Daba kuduppen"
Dada
Kingpin, ganglord, don.
Hindi dada (literally paternal grandfather, used as a term of respect among underworld crime families). **More apt would be Bengali dada (meaning big brother who lays the rules or dictates terms.
Dhanks
Refers to Thanks.
Romba Dhanks Ba
Dhavlundu
Refers to less.
similar to ravunudu and Damathoondu. Popularized by Rajni Kanth in the movie Annamalai, when he sees Kushbhu naked in the washroom. Dhamathoondu thuni kooda illa baa meaning Not even a small bit of cloth in her body.
Domaru
Used with prefix 'Poda' to say Poda Domar.
Word of insult, usually said in a humorous way.
Dum
Stamina, strength,
Urdu dum breath. Also used for referring to smoking.
Dumeel
Untrue, false.
Unknown. Could refer to the sound made by an explosion that leaves nothing behind, as does a false statement. See also: Reel
Dummy piece
An insignificant fool pretending to be a genuine something(rowdy,rhug,rich person)

Dhanda Soru
Similar to Allakai
useless Fellow
Dharma adi
Merciless beating, usually by a group.
Tamil dharma adi meaning just (as in justice) or destined beating. dharmam = charity/to donate. Dharma adi means free beating.
Dhoda
Synonym of 'Ayye',saying 'So?' in a belittling manner
Likely from Tamil idho da (here da), could be used effectively in humiliating manner in the midst of a conversation to ascertain authority over the counterpart in debate/conversation.
Dhool
A superlative, as in well done! or kick ass!.
Likely from Hindi dhool (dust), referring to the dust cloud after a good ass-kicking. 'Dhool' is also used as 'Dhool kalappitai' where kalappitai refers to the action of starting or kicking up (dust).
Dil
Chutzpah, guts, as in Do you have the guts to step outside and fight like a man?!.
Urdu dil (heart), metaphorically indicatescourage.
Ditchu
Drainage derived from English Ditch and spoken asKawa

Dokku
Unattractive Woman
as in Dokku Figaru. Antonym of Figaru
Dubaakour
Consummate liar
(Popularized by comedians Chinni Jayanth and Veeniraadai Moorthy)
Dumil udradhu
Acting Too Smart

Dhuddu
Money.
Kannada duddu (money).
DingDong
Egg mixed with gravy.
Famous and delicious food item name in Triplicane. Sourced from South part of Tamil Nadu.
Dommai
Glutton. Carefree.
Origin uncertain (Gourmet?). Used mostly by college students.
Doen
Used to refer to the word DOWN. Eg. DSN Doen
Origin some BPO guy, who misspelled the word. Used mostly by tech support.
Eguru
Run fast, Run away, Scold, Jump (Depends on the context)
Telugu Eguru, as in Macha, mama varaan, eguru or Sarkkadichi voottukku pona, engappa emmele egiritaruda orEgiri bus-le erittanda aven. egiRuthal in normal Tamil means to jump, bounce.
Es agurudhu
To escape
English From first syllable of the English word 'escape'
Feelingu/Pheeling/Feelings
sadness. Also means love (usually used in a 'mushy-mushy' sense)
English Feelings, as in Emotions.
Figaru
Attractive woman.
English figure, as in Oru semma figaru varathu meaning An attractive woman is approaching. Note: Used in neuter gender.
Free-a-Vidu
Literally let it free. Figuratively, let bygones be bygones. Pronounced as Pree-a-vudu.
English free.
Fublic
Public! Famous in puthupettai and the surroundings
English Public.
Gabbu
Stink, foul odour. Often used figuratively to describe situations, personalities etc.
Telugu gabbu (stink, foul odor).
Gaajju
Sleazy, dirty.
For example a Gaajju joke.
Gaali
Finished, as in He's finished!.
Urdu khali meaning empty or finished. Originally from Arabic.
Gaana paattu
A subgenre of Tamil film music.
Hindi gaana (song) + Tamil paattu (song). Used for songs with fast rhythmic beats.
Gaandu
to irritate a person
Usage gaanda kelappathe. Gaand refers to butttocks in Hindi. See Also: Kaduppu
Galatta
1. Fracas, brouhaha 2. Chaos 3. Celebration.
Etymology not known for certain. Possibly from Turkey (Galata was asuburb of Istanbul known for its nightlife) or from English gala.
Galiju
Dirty, Can be used in any context. Widely used to refer to bit(matter)
Kannada, meaning dirty.
Gandhi kannakku
Fraudulent accounting.
Before 1947, when India was fighting against British occupation, companies and individuals often included Contribution to Freedom movement as an item in accounting statements. Most often accounting statements would not tally because management funneled money out. Contribution to Gandhi's freedom movement provided an excellent means to account for the missing money. Hence the term Gandhi Kanakku. One should apologise to Mahatma Gandhi as this term brings a small amount of disrepute to him, for no fault of his!!!
Gapsaa
Disinformation, lies.
Connotes deliberate disinformation, as opposed to genuine misinformation. Usually refers to fundamental falsehoods, as opposed to lame excuses. Comparereelpeela. Most probably related to gabbu (stink), somparable to stinking lies.
Gelichan
He won.
Telugu gelupu (victory).
Gethu
Super, Better than normal.
Origin unknown
adang goyyangoo
(Figuratively eq of) My goodness!Holy cow!, etc
Tamil Unga akka (your sister's) + makka(magan - son)
Gilfans
A person with a shady background
(This word is of recent origin) Gilfans,Silfans etc have their etymological roots in comedian Chinni Jayanth's repository of words.
Gujal
Fun
Ore gujala irundichi machi
Gilma
Strange stuff
One more from Chinni Jayanth
Gilli
Talented Person.
Also called Ghilli, from a street game played with wooden sticks. Highly became famous after Vijay's blockbuster movie Ghilli
Godavula Gudhi
Jump into the fray
Root - Goda from the Hindi word for a wrestling pit, Gudhi from Tamil meaning Jump
Goiya,Goyyala
A form of address similar toMachi. But it can be interpreted as dumb or useless person also.
Possibly from Tamil for 'guava'.
Golti
Telugu speaker. Can be derogatory.
By reversing the consonants in te-lu-gu to give gulti or golti
Goodhal
Trickery, fraud
Tamil goodhal (error, mistake). Usually derogatory, as in He resorted to trickery to win that business deal.
Gumbal
Crowd
Used in the context of 'Gumbaloda Govinda' 'Gumbala porom'
GumbalOda gOvinda
Usually refers to situations like peer-pressure, or societal norms, where individual beliefs/actions are overridden by mass reaction. Also refers to insignificant individual contributions overlooked in a group.
Tamil gumbal (crowd), Sanskrit gOvinda(name of Vishnu). Derived from the large crowds of pilgrims at Tirupati. Play on words gOvinda and the English go or gone.
Gumbalukku Porandavane
Someone born to a crowd. Probably to a victim of gang rape.

Gujjaals
Petting, making out.
Tamil konjal (petting, excess affection) .This behavior is often shown by Srihari Shankar and Varun Vaitheeswaran
Gujili
Young girl, usually attractive and easily available
invented when there was a heavy influx of Gujaratis into Madras: Gujju + Kili = Gujili
Gum Paapa
Young girl, usually attractive (large breasted) and easily available
invented when Indians went to the west and saw large breasted white skin females: Gum + Paapa = Gum Paapa also referred to as Gumthaax
Goinda
Unexpected failure.

Inglipeesu
The language 'English', usually in ridicule.
Also called Ingleesu or Engleesu.
Ippidikaa
This way.
Origin Tamil from the word Ippadi
Iskool
literal meaning of School
Probably in use due to ease for typical Tamil tongue to pronounce iskool. Similar words are Institute is pronounced asinstoot, Excuse is pronounced as esoosor echoos
Isthukunu po
literal meaning taking away
Telling someone to take it away or carrying it away (See also 'Vali')
Itta/Ittinnuva/Isthunuva
Fetch (someone)
Tamil izhuthu-kondu-vaa (Pull him over here). Also pronounced as Ista
Jaburu or Jabaradastu
Something similar to bandha- show off , acting pricey, like in innaadaa jabardastu paNRE?
from zabardast - Urdu meaning grand, extra ordinary, forceful
Jagaa vaangaradhu
To escape from the scene.
Hindi jagah (space, room) and Tamilvaangaradhu (to buy, to get). Literally means to get room [to escape].
Jalaai
To have a bowel movement
Hindi Widely believed that a Hindi ignorant Tamil guy read the word written in Hindi, near the compartment toilet and misunderstood that Jalaai in Hindi meantto shit. Apparently, the person had readInflammable objects not allowed written as Jalaaishi padaarth mana hai
Jalpu
To catch cold.
Tamil jaladosham' saLippu (N, common cold)
Jalsa
Enjoy
probably from Salsa, with its suggestive fast moves and close contact in life. Or from Urdu Jalsa which means something like a carnival.
Jatkaa
Hindi-speaker, North Indianperson. Derogatory.
Hindi jhatkaa (cart, also sudden shock). Play of words Jat and Jhatkaa.
Joadreppai
Cobbler.
Possibly from Hindi joota (shoe) andEnglish repair or from Tamil jodi (pair[of slippers]) and English repair.
Jollu Vidurathu
To ogle at a girl.
Literally means to drool. To look at a girl with open mouth that one does not realise the saliva dripping.
Joot
To escape/hide/run/give the slip.
Abbreviation of Just out of time; often used in kid's games of Catch, or Hide and Seek - Waitees for pause, and Jooties for resume.
Jujube/jujupee
Small, unimportant, easy or minuscule.
Examples:1)Ithu ellam jujupee velai=This is such an easy (or unimportant) job. 2)Ivan oru jujubee da=He's just small fry (he can't do anything)
Origin possible from a type of candy that could have been available during the British era. Jujube now freely available in many countries for very small change.
Kaava Vidradhu
Misfielding an easy chance in cricket

Kabodhi
Blind. used in a derogative sense

Kaboor
Anyone of north Indian origin, whose native language is Hindi.
Derived from Kapoor, a common north Indian surname.
Kanpiece
Refers to the English wordconfuse.
Example : Don't Kanpiece me.., Machi romba kanpiece panadha da..
KD
1. Petty crook. 2. An unusually intelligent criminal.3;Cunning person
English. Old Chennai police abbreviation for either known delinquentknown depredator or known defaulter or Known Denotified person.
Kacheri
Drinking party.
Tamil kutcheri which is a traditional Tamil music concert. Derived as the party 'play' the mouth of the bottles with both hands like a naadaswaram (South Indian instrument like a saxophone)
Kadalai
Verbal flirting.
Tamil kadalaiverkadalai (nutgroundnut). Possibly from groundnut vendors who provided snack food to couples on the beach, or in trains. Connotes flirting without serious intentions. See Also: Batting
Kalakaradhu
To impress with one's performance.
Tamil, (to mix, to stir).
Kalaaikkaradhu
To make fun of someone, or to belittle someone
Also used as 'Kalasi', Example: College pasanga kalaisiduvanunge!
Kamnatti
A clown or a jerk.
An interesting off-shoot of classical Tamil, kamnatti derives from KaimpeNdaati paiyan which stands for a young widow's son, who is expected to grow up without parental guidance and hence a kamnatti. Some say, it originated from English sahibs in TN addressing their kids as Come, naughty boy!!
Kakkoos
Lavatory.
origin from the Dutch kakhuis (shit house)
Kasmaalam
Synonymous with idiot(the idiot being a litote).
Possibly from Sanskrit kash malam is Sanskrit word with meaning 'கழிக்கப்பட்டது ' or kash mailam (black dirt). Comparing someone with hair is considered rude in Tamil culture. Maalamis also a slang word for shit. Some say ' kasmalam' (one word) in Sanskrit means a dirty thing worthy of discarding.
Kattai
Referring to a hot female.
Tamil,Kattai (literally log of wood) - the sturdier higher quality wood can easily be distinguished by their distinctive curvy grain pattern.
Kattai
Referring to some one who does not respond. Inert.
Tamil,Kattai refers to wood. Comparable to sleeping/lying like a log.
Kaidhe
Donkey.
Derogatory word and derived fromKazhudai(donkey) in chaste Tamil
Kandukunu Varen
I Will Meet Him And Come.
Tamil Avarai sandhikiren
Kenai
Fool.
Malayalam kenai (mad).
Keivi
An old Woman.
Refers to an old woman. Derived fromKizhavi in chaste Tamil. Mostly used in a derogatory sense.
Kepmaari
Invariably goes with 'moLLa maaRi' and ' mudichchavikki' (this term literally means one who unties knots!!!)
In British times people were given different coloured caps based on their status in work. The guy who changes the cap (mathurdu in Tamil) is a traitor/thief hence the word kepmaari (cap-maari).
Ko Ma Po
An abbreviation for the word Kora Maasathula Piranthavan meaning a person of premature birth. Used against a person as a slight swear word saying that his brain and other associated parts have not grown to their actual capacity because of his premature birth.
Tamil Kora Maasathula Piranthavan(Person of premature birth). Piranthavan is pronounced Poranthavan in local slang. So the abbreviation came to be Ko Ma Po instead of Ko Ma Pi.
Kozha adi sandai
Major catfight.
Tamil kozha adi sandai (water pump fight). Connotes fighting over who gets how much water and in what order.
Kiichae
Sarcasm about accomplishment i.e. fat lot you have accomplished
Tamil kizhithai (You've torn it).
Kiithaa
Is it there? used for objects, things etc eg: dabbu kiithaa? - is there any money?- irukkiRathaa? in chaste Tamil

Kiiraana/Kiiraala
Is he/she there? used for people. eg: kabali kiiraana? - is kabali there? irukkiRanaa ? in chaste Tamil

Kishnayil
Kerosene oil.
(or) 'Krishayil' a colloquial probably due to saying KeRoSeNe oil quickly.due to its blue colour..krishna oil,lord krishna's blue colour..
Kondhivudu
To mix up the things in improper fashion or not aligned.
Common usage in games like carroms, to spread the coins, use coinsa kondhivudu
Koral kudukaradhu
Unnecessarily showing off by using loud voice(koral).kudukaradhu literally meansto give

Kottikaradhu
To eat shamelessly, especially if the food is free (OC food).
Tamil kotta To pour/dump. Literally means to dump for oneself.
Kundhu
Sit down!
The reuse of an ancient Tamil word. In contemporary formal Tamil, utkaaral. Related to Kannada kuLithukoLLi (please sit down), ,Telugu koochandi
Kuthu
RevelryTamil
Tamil kuthu paattu (literally a song with punch!), as in dappaankuthu.
Kutti
Synonymous with figaru.
Possibly from Malayalam kutti (young girl).
Kotikiniye
Synonymous with thunutiye.
Kotikiniye (had food).
Laard Labakdass
A person who thinks very highly of himself (without any solid basis for that assumption).
English lord
Leevu
Holiday.
From English leave, as in leave of absence. Also used in formal business English as 'leave' (shortened form of leave of absence)
Lollu
Bantering. Fussing.
Tamil for the sound made by a dog (analogous to bow wow in English).
Lookku vudaradhu
To check someone out, especially if it's an attractive person.
English look and Tamil vudaradhu (to let off, to flash). Implies a much shorter duration and less intensity than jollu vittufication or sight adichification.
Loosu
Crazy.
English loose as in screw-loose or nut-job. Also see arai-loosu.
Loosule Vudu
Let it go.
English lose as in Lose it or leave it be/ignore it.
Lowe
Puppy Love.
English pronounced like love but with a wreplacing the v. It plays on the accent used in Tamil movies where a protagonist expresses their affection for someone, usually in a Romeo and Juliet-style situation. It is used to show contempt for someone who has superficial romantic feelings for another but over-dramatises it.
Lumpaa
Lump sum.
English Lump sum. Popularized by comedians Goundamani and Senthil.
Maal / Maalu
Any kind of commission paid to middle men, also used to mean bribes/money. Usually followed vettu (maalu vettu - give commission/bribe). Urdu maal- saamaan- material.

Maamool
Bribe paid to police man
(Urdu-Hindi)Maamool = money.
Machi
Synonymous with dude, used in a positive sense.
Tamil machinan, colloquial machan (wife's brother). Implies familiarity, cannot be used with strangers. See also maams.
Majaa
Fun
(Hindi-Urdu) Mazaa = 'fun'.
Mama or Mamey
refers to either a policeman or pimp depending on the context.
Tamil mama = uncle. Not to be confused with maams.
Mama Veedu
Brothel, bar
Tamil for uncle's house. Usually the uncle's house was the main centre for a group of people to have a good time.
Mami
refers to either a brahmin girl/woman, or a middle-aged woman in general, depending on the context.
Tamil for aunt.
Mamiyaar veedu
refers to jail, police lock-up
Tamil maamiyaar = mother-in-law; veedu = house;.
Mangaattha
refers to a 3-card game played on street by con-men to lure a passer-by to steal their money. Related phrases are 'Ulle-Veliye' (In-Out) refers to the sleight of hand that the card dealer uses to move the cards around
Refers to the Queen of spades. (literal Tamil origin Mangal + Aatha = dark complexioned woman)
Maanja
refers to an additive added to make the kites string (also called Noolu) stronger, the additive is apparently a concotion of tar, glass pieces, dogs shit and battery covers. This additive when applied on the string makes the string strong for kite (called Banas) fights commonly referred to as Deal.
The glass powdered based chemical used in kite strings used in deal fights in kite flying usage mamey deala innika banava ashcitunga.
Manjaa Soru
refers to a bravery of Men. Related phrases are 'Nenjula Manjaa soru irukaaa maaamu?? meaning i will beat the crap out of you so that i will bring your bile out of you. (which is yellow in colour hence Manja Soru - meaning Yellow rice - Bile)

Maramandai
Wooden head.
Tamil origin Maram + Mandai = Tree head.
Mattai
To become flat due to excessive intake of alcoholic tuff. Also used for Cricket bat.
Example: paiyan over a sarakku adichitu mattai aayitanba!!.
Massa massa
Refers to a sooper figure whose body mass index is a little high and moves lazily.
English Full of mass
Mayiru / Mayiraandi
Literally refers to hair, but used to abuse a person 'as worthless as a hair-strand'.
Mayir - Ancient Tamil for 'hair', Poda Mayiru or Poda Mayiraandi (Poda-Off you go, Mayir-hair, Aandi-loser)
Meteru
Bribe (used as a question mostly/surprise)
Tamil --
Meyaaluma
Really? (used as an exclamation of disbelief/surprise)
Tamil Mey = Truth.
Mokkai group
Superlative usage of blaydu
This is a derivative of the wordMokkaiyappar who was a king, famous for his blaydu jokes. (Poor Jokes - PJ)
Mokkai
A person who cracks really bad jokes or a bad joke.
This is a derivative of the wordMokkaiyappar who was a king, famous for his blaydu jokes. (Poor Jokes - PJ)
Mucha
Referring to urine
Sometimes MUCHA is referred asUCCHA Probably from CHITTOOR SLANG.
Muniyammaa
Refers to a woman belonging to the lower economic strata - usually a slum dweller in urban Chennai.
Antonym of Mary. Possibly (Sanskrit)Muni + Amma = ascetic lady.
Mudchavikee
Literally means a person who unties knots.
For meaning refer to molla maari
Military hotel
Restaurant that serves non-vegetarian food.
The armed forces are thought to have fewer vegetarians than the general population.
Naina
A secondary version of dude, used to imply criticism.
Telugu nana (father). Some Tamilians with Telegu ancestry use this term in their homes to address the father.
Nashta
Breakfast.
Urdu nashta (light snacks). Also referred as 'Tiffin'. However tiffin could also mean evening snacks or any light meal.
Neataa
Straight. As in 'Appadiya neeataa weld pannu.'
From the Tamil word Neettum meaning long. Probably because of the association of length with straigthness especially in machine shops.
Ngoiyaaley'
Useless fellow. Probably invented and popularised by Comedy Hero Vadivelu (Viagai Puyal)

Nijaar
Knickers or shorts. As in 'Nijaar kaituradhu.' meaning 'fucked'
From the English word Knickers.
OB adikaradhu
To waste time.
OB is pronounced as the individual letters O and B. Etymology not known for certain. Possibly from Off Beat, oldBritish military term meaning off duty. Also possibly from Out of Business or from O'l Bhajanai (local slang for doing nothing).
OC
Free, at no cost. (Could also mean Old Cask Rum at wine shops)
From OCSIndian Railways abbreviation meaning On Company Service. Parcels marked OCS travel free.Some say this is an abbreviation for Others' Cost!!
Odacha Kadala
known as "pottu kadalai" in other parts of Tamil Nadu
used in cooking, odachakadala chutney is famous side dish for tiffen items
OLE
the art of lying.Making your lie an obvious one so that others can figure it out very easily.
manasakshiye illaama ole udaraan dameaning he's lying ruthlessly
OLEMARI
A person who lies often.

OLE Okkadha
Don't bluff

Oor Nattan.
Referring to a person from rural regions Ooru or Oorrefers to villages and Nattanbeing any person.

Okkanchikka
To sit
Derived from the Tamil word 'Utkarunga'. Rule of madras bashai is that you should not give respect. Example, dei ramesu, appdiye okkachikkada, intha vantten!!
Oru Flow thaan
Making fun of someone/thing without missing a beat.
Kalaiee (the one being made fun of): yen machi ippadi kalai'kire?
Kalaier (the one making fun of the kalaiee): Seri vidu, ellam oru flow thaan.
Outte
Same as Gaali.
English out, used in the context of cricketor other sports.
Paal mararadhu
To switch camps, to betray a confidence.
Tamilpaal (milk) and mararadhu (to change). Implies a cow unexpectedly changing to a bull as one is milking it, with unwanted consequences.
"Paal Pappali"
Milky white breasts
Tamil Made popular by Vishal in the Tamil film song 'Paal Pappalli'
Panni Gumbal
Vulgar term for person who is born by intercourse with animals.
Root Word: Gumbal...Example:'Poda #REDIRECT Panni Gumbal'.
Parandhu parandhu adikkaradhu
To fight by jumping and flying in the air
Refers to stunt wired moves made by heroes in local movies in street-fight scenes which feature impossible kicks and moves defying physics. (Lately the term 'Matrix stunt kudukkardhu' (offerMatrix-style stunts) has come to mean something similar)
Peela
Petty lie/ boast.
Example: Enna peela vudre?
Pee
Aai/ Shit.
Example: Pee porikki means shit gatherer, Pee Thinnu means eat shit.
Pikkaali
Completely dumb / Idiotic
Example: Pikkaali Payale means a dumb person or someone completely useless.
PeterMary
Persons of Tamil origin who speak English in preference to the Tamil language, especially if his intention is to impress others.
Also Peter party. Also used to label those who consider Tamil infra dig, or those who speak it with a fake Western accent.
Philim
Show off
From English Film. Similar to Hindi Phillum!!
Pirikrom
Motivational word that helps people gain confidence over whatever they are doing. Similar to kalaka porom
Tamil Pirikkardhu. To open something. Also can be used as Pirikkanum, meaning we have to come out with flying colors.
Podrathu
Fucking
[Usage] Machi podra avala
Porambokku
Unoccupied, usually unusable or fallow land. Derogatively and dismissively, a person without identity, a nobody.
Mispronunciation of 'Pembroke', as inLord Pembroke, who stated that land belonging to no one would belong to the government.
Porul
Thing of importance. Sometimes alluded to a minor weapon (eg:pen knife)
Origin: Tamil. Porul, which in a pure sense, refers to the content or inner meaning of a phrase or word.
Pottalam
Ganja
Origin: Tamil. A 'packet' made using, usually, news paper. Cheap Marijuana is usually sold in a news paper wrapped packet and is called 'pottalam' or 'potlam' ('potlam' is more of a Peter language). Hindi pOtli is equivalent of Tamil pottalam.
Pottu Thaaku
same as "Kalakaradhu"

Pista
Local tycoon.
Synonymous to Minor/Zamin(Zamindar) and Durai(White-man)
Puttukinaan
He died.

Raseedhu
Receipt of sale
English Receipt
Ravondu
in small quantity
From Ravai - Ground Semolina (Suji in Hindi)which is small in size.
Reel
Pitifully lame excuses.
English reel of film from the era of 16 mm projectors. Sometimes an improperly mounted film reel would fall off the projector and run away, causing a garbled or distorted picture to be projected on screen while the operator chased the reel across the room and mounted it back.Reel therefore refers to an obviously implausible story. See also: gapsaa,peelaphilim
Rousu udardhu
Showing off, probably including challenging others. To arouse attention.
English to rouse.
Rowdy
Ruffian.
Indian term transliterated to English.
Rowdy-sheet
The rap sheet of a rowdy known to the police.

Sarakku
Refers to Liquor, in a lesser sense, other illicit goods like drugs, and smuggled items.
Sarakku: 'goods' in English.
Saaman
Refers to either a weapon, most commonly a knife, OR genitals of a man. Could also mean general luggage, e.g.,Saaman erakki anga veimeaning, unload the luggage and stow it there
Hindi Saamaan: thing.
Saami padam
Also known as Matter padam, refers to a risque movie
To escape detection, the first few minutes of these movies usually depict devotional scenes.
Saathu
Literally slam.
Commonly used by everyone to refer to hitting someone, or making a point as in 'appadi pottu saathu'. Also mostly used in 'Pottu Saathu'
Sappaaththu
Shoe.
Malaysian/SL Tamil
Saavugraaki
Verbal abuse against bad drivers.
Possibly from Tamil saavu (death) andgraaki (spurious buyer or peddler) givingcustomer of Death.
Sallu, Salunnu
Fast, smooth, quick.
Possibly from the blurring sound of something moving fast. Equivalent of English whirr/buzz.
Sappa Matter or Salpi
Very Easy Thing, Not interesting thing. Sappai/ Chappai in chaste Tamil is flat.
Example Sappa Matter mama
Semma
Very (adj.)
Tamil Semmai or Chemmai
Sevulu
Cheek(adj.)
Tamil Sevilu or Sevulu
Shaat Adikkardhu
Fucking.
From the English word "shot", pronounced "shaat'.
Shuvar
Sure, confirmed.
From the English word "Sure", pronounced with a vernacular flavour.
Sightu Adikkaruthu
Admiring women from a distance, usually without the woman's knowledge.
Sight English Adikarrathu Tamil
Somari
Lazy fellow; word originates from Kannada
Tamil Usage: Po da somaari (Go away, you lazy fellow)
Sound udaradhu
Synonymous with Koral udaradhu = literally make too much 'Sound'/voice (Kural)
Tamil udaradhu (release).
Sothai
Rotten.
Usage: Adhu sothai figuru maamu!Literally: decayed/damaged.
Super Star
Originally refers to TamilActor Rajnikanth
Known for his distinctive style and screen presence. Similar emulatory names likeShining StarLittle Super Star have been taken up by other actors in South India
Sulphata
Cheap, strong and harmful liquor that may contain poisonous substances including copper Sulphate,methanolformaldehyde andformic acid. Similar potions include 'chappi' and 'kalakkal.'
Pronounced sulphate aa from Copper Sulphate, commonly present in such potions. From banned liquor that the rural poor hastily prepare by boiling (instead of fermenting) basic ingredients like rice gruel, along with a wide variety of organic substances, sometimes, even including tyres and petroleum.
Soor Negative
A phrase much used by students after coming out of the exam hall to illustrate poor performance.

Suthi Vuttiya
A phrase commonly used by call centre employees who avoid taking calls by refreshing their positions in the list of people taking calls.

Susu
Urine
Unknown. Probably onamatopoeic from the sound of a person urinating. Derived from Hindi (ShuShu- Urinate)
Takkaru
Super
Telugu 'Takkari' - As in Takkaru Figure ba. Takkar in Urdu means Collision, confrontation.
Tension Aawadhey or No Tensan
Relax
Literally Don't get tensed.
Terror
Sarcastic way of telling a person that he's no threat.

tesan
English, 'station', which due to Tamil pronunciation has morphed into tesan.
As in rayilve tesan (railway station), polis tesan (police station- also refer 'mamiyar veedu' above)
Thamaashu
Funny, comical event
Urdu 'Thamaashaa'. ironically this means - is it comical ??
Thala
Literally 'head' in Tamil. Used colloquially to address gang leaders. Now used in the same sense as 'dude'.
From the movie 'Dheena', starring actor Ajith whose character is called as 'Thala' by his friends. This word is now used by many others in Tamil Nadu.
Tharudhala
Refers to Useless.
Fit for Nothing Sariyana Tharudhala da
Topa
means wig. Often used in a derogatory sense to refer to the unnatural hair of an elderly person.
This is derived from the French wordtoupee
Tube light
Person absent minded or not that shrewd. Refers to one who is not picking up things easily, or someone, who takes a bit of time to understand (like a tube light that flickers for a few seconds before lighting up).
English Tube light .
Udhaaru
To lie. Exaggerate.
Also see: reel, gapsaa
Ushaaru
To be extra cautious. Hoshiyaar from Urdu/Ushaaru from Kannada

Ushaaru Panradhu
Derogatory way of implying to impress and pick up a girl.
Usage: "Ava oru attu figure, ushaar panrathuku unfit."
Unnu
Guy from Village. Short of Oor Nattan.

Ulkutthu
Devious, sneaky, fraud
Tamil Ulkutthu . Literally inside punchesUnderhanded activity, as in He resorted to Ulkutthu to improve customer experience.
Vali (Verb) as in 'ValchchukkO', 'strongaa vali'
Pull
Interestingly, 'Vali' (Verb) in chaste Tamil itself means the same viz., 'Pull' (as in 'kaakkaay valippu' for epilepsy), though people normally prefer ' izhu'
Venna
useless person
synonymous with odavakarai. derived from the Tamil word vennai which means butter
Vetti
To do nothing. To expend no energy and towards no end or means.
Bayangara Vetti might mean a chronically lazy person.
Voodu kattrathu
act of creating a prelude to a fight. to build a house (literal)
Tamil 'veedu'(house) 'kattrathu'(to build). This procedure involves complex body movements and ends with a complete or partial prostration at the feet of the guru seeking his blessings before the duel.
Yakkaa
Elder Sister, commonly used in reference to a female who is older than the speaker, not necessarily his/her sister
Tamil 'Akkaa'
XXL (Double X L)
Eating at the expense of father, doing no job or work. Similar to Dhanda soru
Tamil 'Increasing the size of tummy without doing any work leads to increased shirt-size.'
Chauce
Means sause
Tamil 'Madras Tamil for sauce. Tomato, Chilli.. whatever..'
Sokka
Commonly used with other words to say good. eg, like looks good - Sokka keethu
Tamil 'NanragaTakkara' Other usage.
Yechakale
A person with no shame
From the Tamil word for echchil kalai or echchil ilai, a banana leaf containing leftovers!
Eglapichu/Ducklipickly
Synonymous to Dokapuli

ok pannittan"
To say that person was able to induce love from his girlfriend.
Also known as "Madichittan".
Thanni Kaataradhu
To cheat someone or escape from a person right under their nose
Example : Police kitta thanni Kaateetu escape aaitan ba
Zee Tv
N. 1.Person of North Indian origin 2.Any North Indian Language
Example : Ponnu kaboor family daa! Ore Zee TV daa!
dappaan kuthu
Dappan kuthu is the dance used to give a happy send off to the person who died. This is very famous as well as special in chennai with the unique music.

Sandhu la sindhu paadardhu
same as cycle gap la auto ottardhu.

1 comments:

Jack Harry said...

You carry me, When some carry their God, You feed me, Lord,
When some feed their God, You fought for me, When some fight for their God
you no dey use me play lyrics

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